Caledonian University Students' Association

Reflection and Development Logs

To help reflect, the Student Leaders Programme uses various reflective models which get more in-depth as the levels progress. Reflecting on leadership activites you have been involved in will help you to develop skills and successfully apply them in your voluntary/mentoring roles in the future.

The reflective model used differs for each level of the programme. Below gives you a short summary of each model used.

BRONZE LEVEL

Students at Bronze Level are expected to complete a development log of three leadership activities they have been involved in (preferably from their voluntary/mentoring role). Students use Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle to reflect on their experiences.

Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle is a fairly simple and easy model to begin exploring how to reflect on an experience. The cycle goes through different stages asking specific questions which will encourage in-depth understanding of the situation.

The reflective cycle (Gibbs 1988)

gibbs

Once you are registered on to the Bronze Level of the programme you will be attached to the Bronze Level Blackboard module which will give more information on how to complete the development log.

SILVER LEVEL

Students on Silvel Level of the programme are expected to complete a journal of two leadership activities they have been involved in (preferably from their voluntary/mentoring role). Students use Boud et al (1985) model for reflection.

silver

Once you are registered on to the Silver Level of the programme you will be attached to the Silver Level Blackboard module which will give you information on how to complete the journal.

GOLD LEVEL

Students on the Gold Level of the programme are expected to complete a journal of two leadership activities they have been involved in (preferable from their voluntary/mentoring role). Students use a model developed by Rolfe et al (2001) - a framework for reflective practive which involves the student in reflecting on three questions:- what?, so what?, now what?. This is displayed in the table below.

Descriptive level of reflection

What … ®

ã ¬

… is the problem/difficulty/ reason for being stuck/reason for feeling bad/reason we don’t get on/etc., etc.?

… was my role in the situation?

…was I trying to achieve?

… actions did I take?

… was the response of others?

… were the consequences?

· for myself?

· for others?

… feelings did it evoke

· in myself?

· in others?

… was good/bad about the experience?

Theory - and knowledge - building level of reflection

So what … ®

… does this tell me/teach me/imply/mean about me/others/my attitudes/ etc.?

… was going through my mind as I acted?

… did I base my actions on?

… other knowledge can I bring to the situation?

· experiential

· personal

… could/should I have done to make it better?

...is my new understanding of the situation?

… broader issues arise from the situation?

Action-orientated (reflexive) level of reflection

Now what …

… do I need to do in order to make things better/stop being stuck/resolve the situation/feel better/get on better/etc., etc.?

… broader issues need to be considered if this action is to be successful?

… might be the consequences of this action?

Once you are registered on to the Gold Level of the programme you will be attached to the Gold Level Blackboard module which will give you information on how to complete the journal.